Wichita eagle., 1887-05-22

strewn, was q low mound that had NOT
noted before. TIT Is her grave" mutt
tered. As did so I noted place where
the thick paint in that spot had sprung,
and. holding the candle close, detected
other cracks near By. Trying the largest
with my nail, thin, fat piece sprang on
I Razed curiously into the opening Under
meath was tho corner Of an eye.
That night read not at all and slept
little: the next morning had my picture
taken to restorer, and babe him remove
from the figure beneath every trace OF the
Landscape. It was not q matter OF days,
but of weeks; and, meantime, Henry
Brown had avoided me, and finally sent
word that he would leave next day for
Europe. I went to the Gordens few
days after receiving his good by note, and
happened to mention his departure.
'By the by" l added, as we parted,
'you have never come to see my picture
by Henry Brown, as you promised II
you do not trust my taste you do your
husbands, and he saw and marveled
at it,
"You have never asked me again, said
Mrs. Van Gorden, quite in her usual vein.
"Ask us to tea; let nobody else interrupt,
and we will give you our opinion. l hear,
she turned and said word or two to the
servant, 81 hear that this painter, Brown,
is very strong, indeed-quite an original
man in his wayF'
eHe is, So" answered I, wondering
what these good people would think If I
should tell them Of that scene before the
picture and describe the way in which
Henry Browns lean hands writhed and
his stealthy body undulated as he told me
about his 'poor friends poor friend"
The Gordens came one afternoon, and
when we were ensconced with cup OF
tea apiece called their attention to the
Indian veil that covered large frame.
"How coquettish Of your exclaimed
Mrs. Van Gorden. ''You do not want
the dramatic moment to be anticipated
and spoiled by the veriest hair, do you?
Don't you think it is nice Of him, my
dear?"
II do do said Gorden, getting up,
''but shall not stay to see the curtain
rise; it will be more intense without a
third person. I've a telegram to send
and will be back inside Of twenty min
utes."
We sat in silence, looking toward the
Indian veil, and certain embarrassment
occurred; an indefinable haee of self con-
seriousness embodied me and perhaps made
itself felt with Mrs. Van Gorden. She
appeared to be trying to speak, for her
mouth would move little and then be at
rest. l fancied she was trying to ask me
something about Henry Brown. Finally
she said:
"Why did he go to Europe'"
"Who go to Europe?"
ssWhy, how foolish ami mean-the
painter-what is his name?-of your mys-
FERROUS landscape"
was opening my mouth to say did not
know, and to add that generally when
Brown said he was going he did not 60,
and when he swore nothing could bulge
him, then he was sure to fit-I was just
opening my mouth when the door opened
and in he walked with that gait that is so
like the movement Of serpent. sprang
up and whipped the curtain off my land
scape. 1t was Madonna whose features
were those Of Mrs. Van Gorden.
The latter sat looking from the picture
to the artist with frozen face, but eyes
brilliant with anger, contempt, 1ndigna-
ton. Brown saw that some one was
there, bowed, and was all ready with his
usual look of surprise and his usual re-
mark at variance with his real sentiments,
when his eyes, following their normal
course when in my rooms, travelled to the
| fireplace and the picture. He stiffened
where he stood, gasped-then saw whose
| face it was that blazed before him. He
struggled to speak, but the words seemed
to die in his throat; at last he whispered
"You-you did not drown-after all. y
| Mrs Van Gorden rose from her chair
and an expression of infinite contempt and
little, yes, just a little, pity softened the
| look of a ioness at bay.
Go" she said go. I forgave you
long ago. But l never wish to see you
again. Leave this country and return nc
more'
Henry Brown had suffered acute aston
| ishment, dismay, relief-joy, inexpressiblt
| and shame the most crushing-all in 6
minute. Without a word, look at me
he turned and passed away; his undulat
| ing step took him swiftly to the door. Az
it opened and closed seemed to hear tht
rafting of scales.-"Caius' in New Yorl
| Times.